Endurance and Reminder Practice

Overview

A self-discipline procedure for maintaining focus on long-term goals and remembering past humiliation, based on Goujian's "tasting gall" practice.

Steps

1. Create physical reminder - Place a bitter object (gall bladder) in living space
2. Establish ritual - Look at or taste the reminder when sitting, lying down, and eating
3. Verbal affirmation - Ask yourself: "Have you forgotten the shame of [your defeat]?"
4. Practice austerity - Personally farm, have spouse weave, eat simple food, wear plain clothes
5. Humble yourself - Treat worthy people with respect, be generous to guests
6. Share hardships - Work alongside common people to build loyalty

Core Principle

Constant physical and behavioral reminders maintain focus on long-term goals during recovery.

Expected Outcomes

• Sustained motivation over years
• Building of internal strength and popular support
• Readiness for revenge when opportunity arises

Verification

1. Confirm that a physical reminder has been established and is encountered daily (when sitting, lying down, and eating).
2. Validate that the leader practices genuine austerity (personal farming, simple food, plain clothes) rather than merely symbolic gestures.
3. Check that hardship-sharing with common people is building measurable loyalty and popular support over time.